How can the diverse and often misunderstood body of work produced by Søren Kierkegaard be synthesized into a coherent philosophical framework? Patrick L. Gardiner, a noted scholar of 19th-century philosophy, addresses the common reduction of Kierkegaard to a mere precursor of existentialism. By examining the author's literary, religious, and psychological output, Gardiner argues that Kierkegaard's thought is best understood through the lens of his specific historical context and his critical engagement with contemporaries such as Marx and Feuerbach.

Experts frequently cite this work as a foundational, accessible entry point for those seeking to understand the breadth of Kierkegaard's intellectual project. Readers often note that the prose is clear and avoids unnecessary jargon, making it a standard text for students of philosophy.